View report page

153
Too little use by far is made of the Mortuary, and
especially as a depository for the dead bodies of persons who
have died from infectious disease. Medical men can secure the
removal of the body in such cases by Justice's Order (Sanitary
Act, 1.866, sec. 27), but only if persons live or sleep in the room
where the body is retained. A body in such a state as to
endanger the health of the inmates of the same house or room,
may in like manner be removed to the Mortuary.
The Royal Commission on the Housing of the Working
Classes recommended provision of additional mortuaries in
London. What, however, is more required, at present, is power to
compel removal of the dead to existing mortuaries, when removal
is necessary. The Commissioners recognized this fact by the
further recommendation that "in the event of a death from infectious
disease the body should forthwith be removed to a
mortuary in cases where it would otherwise be retained in a
room used as a dwelling by others." They thought it desirable,
moreover, " that in any case where the body lies in a room which
is used by other persons, it should, in the same manner, be
removed." (Report, p. 31.)
The London County Council thinks it desirable to provide a
Morgue for the unidentified dead , and no doubt it would be a
useful institution ; especially should provision be made for preserving
the bodies unchanged in appearance whilst awaiting
identification.
CORONER'S COURT.
It is now the usual practice to provide a Court for the
Coroner in connection with the Public Mortuary, so as to
obviate the scandal of holding inquests at public-houses. This
step seemed to me to be unnecessary when plans for the
Mortuary were under consideration, there being rooms at the
Vestry Hall suitable for the purpose. My anticipation that a